Actress and model Ziyi Zhang was the second child born to parents Li Zhousheng (her mother, a kindergarten teacher) and Zhang Yuanxiao (her father, an economist). Raised with her older brother in an urban, working-class part of Beijing, Zhang was originally interested in dance and gymnastics. After some friends expressed concerns that she was too frail, her parents encouraged her to take up dance and gymnastics to build up her strength. Ziyi spent years training in traditional Chinese folk dance, first in elementary school at the Xuanwu District Children's Palace, and later at the prestigious Bejing Dance Academy. Ziyi eventually won the Performance Prize at the 1994 Taoli Cup National Youth Dance Competition. Even though a career in dance seemed promising for the graceful Zhang, she became frustrated with the art by the time she was 15, and opted to pursue acting instead. 
In 2001 Ziyi was cast to play the villain in the sequel to the successful comedy Rush Hour, appearing opposite the comedy duo Chris Tucker and martial arts supreme Jackie Chan. She was cast in the film without knowing a word of English, and despite having taken English lessons, speaks strictly Chinese in the film.
Several film roles followed, including more martial arts films (Hero, House of Flying Daggers), and heartbreaking dramas (2046), all for which she received rave reviews and numerous awards and nominations.
In late 2004 and through most of 2005, Ziyi worked on Memoirs of A Geisha, her first major Hollywood role. While Memoirs as a film was not a critical success, Ziyi's expressive performance won her numerous Best Actress nominations, from the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and others.
2005 was a huge year for Ziyi in America, as her profile rose continuously throughout the year. Time magazine named her one the 100 Most Influential people in the world, and she appeared on the covers of Newsweek, Harper's Bazaar, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, and many others.
The release of 2046 led to an avalanche of praise within critical circles, and as the year ended Ziyi's face was immortalized by the publicity campaign for Memoirs of a Geisha. Meanwhile, in Japan Ziyi was featured in over 20 magazines and was the focus of a photo exhibit in Tokyo.
In late 2005 Ziyi began work on The Banquet, a historical drama of set in Tang dynasty China, loosely based upon Hamlet. It is directed by Feng Xiaogang, and was released in the fall of 2006. Since then Ziyi has voiced Karai in 2007's 'TMNT' and appeared in 2008's 'The Horsemen'.
Now Ziyi will be appearing in 2008's 'Mei Lanfang' and 2009's 'Sophie's Revenge' and 'Lost For Words'. While continuing with her charity work and modeling for many brand endorsements.
Several film roles followed, including more martial arts films (Hero, House of Flying Daggers), and heartbreaking dramas (2046), all for which she received rave reviews and numerous awards and nominations.
In late 2004 and through most of 2005, Ziyi worked on Memoirs of A Geisha, her first major Hollywood role. While Memoirs as a film was not a critical success, Ziyi's expressive performance won her numerous Best Actress nominations, from the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and others.
2005 was a huge year for Ziyi in America, as her profile rose continuously throughout the year. Time magazine named her one the 100 Most Influential people in the world, and she appeared on the covers of Newsweek, Harper's Bazaar, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, and many others.
The release of 2046 led to an avalanche of praise within critical circles, and as the year ended Ziyi's face was immortalized by the publicity campaign for Memoirs of a Geisha. Meanwhile, in Japan Ziyi was featured in over 20 magazines and was the focus of a photo exhibit in Tokyo.
In late 2005 Ziyi began work on The Banquet, a historical drama of set in Tang dynasty China, loosely based upon Hamlet. It is directed by Feng Xiaogang, and was released in the fall of 2006. Since then Ziyi has voiced Karai in 2007's 'TMNT' and appeared in 2008's 'The Horsemen'.
Now Ziyi will be appearing in 2008's 'Mei Lanfang' and 2009's 'Sophie's Revenge' and 'Lost For Words'. While continuing with her charity work and modeling for many brand endorsements.
(Mandarin)
